08/17/2010

Top Skin Care Tips

This article provides top skin care tips, including tips for healthy skin, tips for facial skin problems and anti ageing tips. Good skin care is important, as your skin has many functions within your body. Two of the important things your skin does is it provides a protective barrier and helps with sensory perception.

Skin Anatomy

The skin contains many different cells and structures and it constantly changes as layers are shed and replaced by other layers. Skin varies in thickness throughout the body and different people have different layers of thickness. There are three layers of skin, the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis is the outer layer of skin. The top layer of the epidermis (stratum corneum) has dead skin cells which shed approximately every two weeks. The dermis contains three types of tissue (collagen, elastic tissue and reticular fibers). The subcutaneous tissue is a layer of fat and connective tissue.

SKIN TYPES

There are four skin types. Different skin types may need different approaches to achieve healthy skin. It is important to use the appropriate skin care tips for each skin type.

Normal skin has the proper balance between oil and moisture, so that it is not greasy or dry. It looks clear, supple and healthy. Normal skin still needs good skin care, but requires less treatment than other skin types.

Dry skin cannot retain moisture as well as normal skin. It may flake and it is prone to wrinkles and lines. Important skin care tips for dry skin include the regular use of a good moisturizer.

Oily skin has an over secretion of sebum. There is excess oil on the surface of the skin. Oily skin often develops spots and pimples. Important skin care tips for oily skin include regular and thorough cleansing.

Combination skin is a combination of both oily and dry skin. The forehead, nose and chin may be oily, and the cheeks and other areas may be dry. Each area should be given the right skin care that is needed for that skin type.